• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
exclusive
Media

Will ‘NBA Countdown’ Host Maria Taylor Leave ESPN?

  • “NBA Countdown” and “College GameDay” star’s contract is up this summer.
  • ESPN “strongly” wants to re-sign Taylor, said sources.
Joe Faraoni-ESPN

ESPN has a big talent decision coming up. Popular reporter/host Maria Taylor’s contract is up this summer.

As ESPN cuts costs and scrutinizes its talent contracts, the network will have to work hard to re-sign one of its fastest-rising young stars.

The 33-year-old star of “NBA Countdown” and “College GameDay” has experienced a meteoric rise since joining ESPN in 2014. 

Starting off as the host of “SEC Nation,” the former University of Georgia athlete became a reporter for “College GameDay” and “ABC Saturday Night Football” in 2017, after Samantha Ponder moved over to “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Two years later, Taylor got another big promotion, succeeding Michelle Beadle as host of “NBA Countdown.”

When the “College GameDay” crew of Taylor, Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler got the call to work the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants “Monday Night Football” game in 2020, Taylor tweeted: “First NFL game of my career so I think that makes me a rookie.”

Taylor signed her last contract extension in Summer 2018. ESPN declined to comment.

ESPN “strongly” wants to keep her, said a source. Despite a difficult talent market post-pandemic, Taylor will likely have options if she chooses free agency:

  • With its growing portfolio of NFL and college sports rights, Taylor would be a natural target for Fox Sports. Fox has been poaching a number of ESPNers, including Tom Rinaldi, Emmanuel Acho, Jonathan Vilma, Mark Schlereth, and Adam Amin.
  • Taylor’s also the type of versatile TV talent who can move into news or entertainment reporting, said sources. Think Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts, and Bryant Gumbel. 
  • Amazon’s expected to land “Thursday Night Football” during current NFL rights negotiations. Taylor’s equally adept at reporting and hosting. It’s only a matter of time before deep-pocketed tech giants start poaching talent from legacy networks, said sources. 

Taylor has never been afraid to publicly mix it up. 

When Chicago radio host Dan McNeil tweeted that Taylor’s MNF outfit was more appropriate for an adult film awards show, she called him out. 

“Well Danny Dearest if you would like to continue making sexist comments about me…please bring your misogyny with you to the NBA Countdown double header I’ll be hosting tomorrow night. Hey ladies remember you can wear whatever you feel confident in!”

Taylor’s colleagues, like Elle Duncan of ESPN, rushed to her defense. “Imagine just crushing your first MNF gig and having a senior age man comment on your outfit as his biggest takeaway,” tweeted Duncan.

McNeil was quickly terminated by Entercom Chicago. He later apologized publicly to Taylor and wished her luck. “You’re terrific,” he tweeted. 

When New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees repeatedly backtracked for calling NFL players “disrespectful” for kneeling for racial justice, Taylor was having none of his excuses.  

“My patience left my body when I saw George Floyd take his last breath,” she told Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman on “First Take.” Her Brees comments went viral, drawing over 1.5 million views on Twitter.

Still, business is business. A budget-conscious ESPN has either bought or declined to re-sign other hosts such as Beadle, Dan Le Batard, Mike Golic Sr., and Trey Wingo the last couple of years. 

If Taylor leaves, ESPN still has a deep bench of up-and-coming talent including Duncan, Cassidy Hubbarth, Malika Andrews, and Monica McNutt. All of them boast a mix of hosting and reporting experience for pro and college sports.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Behind a $50,000 Luxury Athlete Tattoo: Inked Under Anesthesia

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Steve Pagliuca

Boston Group Has Deal to Buy Sun For WNBA-Record $325 Million

The league office cautioned that any Boston move was subject to approval.

Luka Dončić Signs 3-Year Lakers Extension On 1st Day Of Eligibility 

Dončić can opt out after two seasons and sign a record deal.

Bengals Extend Stadium Lease After $350M in Public Funds for Renovation

The Bengals will stay in the 25-year-old stadium through at least 2036.

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at TD Garden.

WNBA Viewership Up Across All Networks Compared to 2024

Non-Fever games are up 37% compared to the full 2024 season.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.
July 29, 2025

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
July 30, 2025

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 29, 2025

WBD Restructuring Shows What’s Old Is New Again

WBD will become Warner Bros. and Discovery Global as two separate entities.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
July 24, 2025

CBS Sports to Get New Owner As Skydance Merger Clears FCC Hurdle

The long-awaited, but highly debated, merger gains regulatory approval.
Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; A general view of Times Square during the MLS Cup Times Square Watch Party prior to the game between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.
July 24, 2025

MLS Reveals Apple TV Streaming Numbers, Raising Questions

The league gives a rare glimpse inside the high-profile streaming pact.